Food Trends You’ll be Seeing in 2019

From the Blog

If you’re a food lover (honestly, who isn’t?), then you’ve probably already come across a bunch of trendy, innovative foods on Instagram like low calorie avocado ice cream, quinoa bowls with colorful fruit and veggie combinations, and a fair share of ergonomically blended smoothies packed with superfruits and antioxidants topped with pretty decoration. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then those words have become pretty tiresome much like the ingredients (we’re looking at you, avocado). We went ahead and scoured the internet and found Wholefoods guide to food trends predictions of 2019. Bring on the new!

Pacific Rim Flavors

More exotic flavors from Asia, Oceania, and the Western coasts of North and South America are going to be seen more frequently. Produce like guava, dragon fruit and passion fruit will slowly start replacing beloved goji berries.

These trends will be super easy and fun to try out in your current recipes, or just enjoyed as they are! They come jam-packed with plenty of healthy vitamins and nutrients.

Shelf-stable Probiotics

The benefits of probiotics have been debated for some time now, and despite some people doubting their importance, they are on the rise. Wellness brands are now starting to add new probiotics like Bacillus coagulans GBI-30 and MTCC-5856 to pantry staples such as granola, oatmeal, soups and nutrition bars. You’re even going to start seeing probiotics being added to beauty aisle products!

Phat Fats

Phat fats refer to the often healthy fats that are good for you. Items like coconuts, bananas, and avocados all contain healthy fats that help more than they hurt and are good for you – in moderation. This isn’t a new idea, but they are starting integrate new foods into the ‘healthy fats’ category.

Look for keto-friendly nutrition bars crafted with MCT oil powder, coconut butter–filled chocolates, snacks affectionately called “fat bombs” and a new wave of ready-to-drink vegan coffee beverages inspired by butter coffees to hop on this trend.

Next Level Hemp

Hemp products have been becoming increasingly popular, but in 2019 you’ll start seeing different parts of the product utilized in 2019. From hemp waffle mixes and pastas to hemp plant stem cells in body lotion, you’ll be seeing a lot more of cannabis and the “cannabiz” craze in 2019.

Is That Meat?

Veganism is on the rise, so it’s no surprise that meat substitutes and alternatives are as well. What’s unique for 2019 is that more and more people who aren’t necessarily vegan are starting to explore this trend as well.

Substitutes for jerky will be found in king trumpet mushrooms, pig-less bacon chips, and porkless rinds.

Eco-Conscious Packaging

This one is a no-brainer, and is in fact just multiplying yearly on importance. As more trash and plastic accumulates on Earth, along with the rise of global warming rates, we will continue to seek environment-friendly products.

You’re going to see a rise in number of shoppers using reusable grocery bags, wax paper instead of plastic, reusable metal straws, and other multi-use alternatives. In the case of food trends, this is one of them that’s here to stay for good.

Trailblazing Frozen Treats

When consumers used to eat ice cream and cheese, they’d feel guilty about the unhealthy calories they were eating. That problem is slowly coming to a close with new flavors encouraging shoppers to try something in new, exciting flavors.

Purchasing power in the consumer market continues to motivate food industries to change and evolve, and that’s not going anywhere in 2019. Consumers nowadays are looking for and shopping from businesses that leave a green footprint and are friendly to their animals.

Companies like Kuli Kuli whose employee base are women help promote women in agriculture. Greyston Bakery seeks out employees who’ve experienced barriers to employment. Chobani, among many other familiar brands, alleviate destitution through microcredit loans, boosting some of the poorest people in the world out of their poverty. Brands doing commendable things like this are going to see higher sales in 2019.

What food trends are you most excited about for 2019? We know we’ll be exploring all the new trends one bite at a time in the coming New Year. If you’re looking for more foodie coverage, make sure to head over to Taste of Blue Ridge!